A Michael Jordan road jersey worn during the 1998 NBA Finals has been sold in a private transaction for $14 million, marking the highest price ever paid for a piece of basketball memorabilia. Hunt Auctions, based in Pennsylvania, revealed the sale and identified the buyer as Ron Firman, a Miami real estate investor. The jersey, worn by Jordan in Game 2 of the series on June 5, 1998, was pivotal as the Chicago Bulls triumphed over the Utah Jazz, ultimately securing their sixth championship title.
The significance of Michael Jordan in the sports memorabilia market has now reached unprecedented levels, comparable to esteemed works of art, according to David Hunt, the president of Hunt Auctions. The sale sets a new standard in the industry, reflecting the growing value of iconic sports artifacts. This $14 million transaction ranks as the second-highest known price for a game-worn jersey, following the $24.12 million paid in 2024 for Babe Ruth’s jersey from the 1932 World Series.
This recent sale marks the third instance of a Michael Jordan jersey from the 1998 finals fetching over $10 million. Previous auctions saw a Game 1 jersey sold for approximately $10.1 million in 2022 and a Game 3 jersey auctioned for around $12.3 million last month. Ron Firman expressed his excitement about the purchase, emphasizing Michael Jordan’s global admiration and exceptional talent.
The jersey acquired by Firman was originally purchased from the Bulls by a private collector in 2003 and has since maintained a limited chain of custody with only one previous transfer. The collector’s market has shown immense interest in items related to the 1998 finals and Jordan’s final season with the Bulls. Notably, in 2023, a pair of Air Jordan sneakers worn by Jordan during Game 2 against the Jazz set a new benchmark when sold for $2.2 million by Sotheby’s, touted as the most valuable sneakers ever sold at that time.